The word means so much, to so many of us Americans. I know you’ve heard, time and time again, the examples of common Americans performing acts that are seen as patriotic. Lately, I have noticed that something is missing from the society at large (with the obvious exception of the military). Most notably, I have listened to many government functionaries, elected officials and aspiring political candidates, and pretty much they all posses a general lack of true conviction in their voice, conviction that has to be earned not learned. This type of conviction comes from the heart of one person and touches the soul of another.
Many people in the past few years have made plenty of good, well structured speeches. Their enunciation and diction was very good, to superb. They’ve had plenty of emphasis in their delivery that was aimed at convincingly driving the delivery home. However, they lack the personal conviction that sets their and the listeners soul on fire.
Some of the most notable to me, throughout my life, who gave to me this true patriotic feeling were perhaps some of the most unlikely to the “mainstream” experts:
- My 90+ year old neighbor who lived next door to me when I was a child many years past. His experience as a child during and after the Civil War and his adult life as a small-time dairy farmer through the many years from 1880s till his end of days in the early 1960s, was spoken with such emotion and respect for America that I will never forget.
- My elderly neighbor, who every child in the farming community around called Grandma, was a field nurse during the great Influenza Epidemic, where she watched many of her friends and family die, but never gave up tending to the sick and dying, at great risk to herself, because she knew it had to be done. When she spoke of those times, there was no blame or bitterness, and animosity towards others never crossed her lips.
- The janitor at my High School, who was fat, blind in one eye, and walked with a severe limp, earning him the nickname of “Wimpy”. But as I got to know him, I learned first from others then from him directly, of his service in WWII as a B24 Bomber Pilot, where he received these injuries. His experiences, which were talked about with such emotion for the dangers he faced, the friends he lost, and the injuries he suffered, and the convictions he came away with, that I feel it today. He was proud of his service and never blamed anyone for his life or the fact that he was only the janitor.
- My Bagpipe Teacher, who taught me how to play highland bagpipes. He was an immigrant to the US from Scotland and had by the time I knew him a retired engineer at one of the local steel mills. He never talked about it, but his wife proudly told me and showed me the Victoria Cross Medal that he earned during WWI. As a British solder and regiment piper, after an injury that resulted in his being left behind the regiment, he captured 12 German solders, when moving alone to catch up with his unit, and marching them 14 miles to his regiments lines, single-handedly armed with nothing but his bagpipes. He loved his homeland, I’m sure, but he was overtly proud of America, The American flag flew over his front door for all to see every day.
- The local trash collector, and a friend of the family, named Red, who was handicapped with a partially paralyzed face that seemed to be scarred as well. It wasn’t till after his death when I was helping his wife clean out his house that I found out that he was a highly decorated Army Sergeant who was part of the first unit of assault troops to land at Normandy and was injured later on while fighting across France. His faith in country never seemed to waiver as long as he lived.
- Or the little quiet neighbor, the father of one of my brothers first flames. He had only one arm and was quiet as a mouse, generally. He worked as an accountant in a local steel mill. All of us neighborhood kids pretty much thought him a wimp. But as I got to know him, I later learned that he had lost his arm while serving as a driver and aid to General Patton in North Africa. One day I finally got him talking about the experience and out came the American Spirit, and WOW!
- My high school Civics teacher who had such conviction, and who would seemingly go off the deep end when we discussed oppressive forms of governments, particularly Communism. His energy at these times used to freak out some of the other students, but I know he left a definite positive impression on every student he touched. It wasn’t till after my graduation that I learned that he was a Korean Prisoner of war for 3 years.
Trust me, I didn’t have to make these people up. The one thing that each of these folks had in common is they were truly proud to be Americans. They didn’t have their hand out, and they didn’t brag about their exploits or feel sorry for themselves for their hardships. But when they talked about issues, hardships and hurdles, never did they lose the spirit in their voice that made the words they spoke, especially when talking about the hardships, giving me advice, or talking about their feeling toward their country or, in some cases, their adopted country.
As I aged to adulthood, I was fortunate enough to, from time to time, come into contact with several other folks that, like these others I spoke of who continued to share with me and others they came in contact with, the emotion in their voices that conveyed the patriotic spirit. When I was a young submarine sailor, one of the first Navy Chiefs I worked for had been in WWII, the Korean War, and then in Vietnam. His discussions, lectures, #-chewings, it didn’t matter, all conveyed the same conviction of soul that what he did, he did for America.
None of these people were rich except with Patriotism. None ever came from any real means except the means of personal conviction and community. But to me they were all true Patriots and became my yardstick with which to measure myself and others. All would have made outstanding political leaders because each knew how to put the America they loved ahead of themselves. You didn’t have to hear this in their words you just felt it in your heart.
Few in the political arena today have given me to feel the same patriotic energy when they speak. One example I can recall was Ronald Regan, whenever he delivered almost any speech, most notable was the speech in Germany, at the Wall. The words were less important than the true conviction you felt. This isn’t something that can be learned as many current politicians may think they can. They may believe if they have the right speechwriters, practice the delivery, speak with emphasis and feeling to drive home a point, it means they have the conviction needed to carry the audience.
I can, as I’m sure many Americans can, detect these fakes. The difference is this unseen energy that comes from the soul or the heart. It’s
NOT there. Currently, I’m afraid that most of the politicians lack the hardships or challenges; they have avoided the real commitment to America, the unselfish one. This seems pivotal to that galvanizing of their resolve to give them the challenge that they need, to solidify the patriotic ideals that makes truly great leaders.
When I hear most speak, all I hear is a voice without a soul engaged. Frankly, it leaves me cold and in some cases a bit sick to my stomach. I am a conservative person, and I respect the current president, but when I hear him talk, I hear nothing that tells me he has been there and he would do it again if called. I hear the - talk and I hear “I got mine and I’m going to get more for me and the one who is giving me the most support.” I hear even some of the ex-war vets and the ex-civil rights folks that are also politicians talk and I hear BS that frankly worries me.
They claim to have been there, and some have, but all I hear are words, and they appear to hold blame in their soul or heart for the misfortunes they endured as a result. So just because you have been through the “military or the human rights” machines, it doesn’t mean you automatically have it. Heck, I did twenty–four years in one and over 10 years in the other and I’m not sure I have it. But I still know when I feel it from others who do.
Oddly enough the recent advice from one immigrant in California talking to other immigrants nationwide touched this American. About the need for any immigrant to assimilate to truly succeed and become an American. His words were probably the most patriotic words I’ve heard from a government official in a long while.
I write this letter to all Americans. Folks, we need to look closer at the ones we are asking to represent us in our America. Each of you, please think about what I’ve said.
If you agree with my ramblings, share this with as many friends as you can. The next time you hear the politicians and political office seekers talk, look for the real voice. It will be obvious, and it can’t be faked if you each think back through your childhood years, wherever you came from, and set as your measuring stick or metric, the memories of the ones in your life who positively touched you in this same or a similar way.
We need a Patriot, a
true Patriot, not just someone who claims to be a patriot. In fact if they have to say it, they ain’t got it. You’ll know the difference. When the time comes, please vote. Vote your conscience, of course, but please consider what I’ve said.
Thanks, v/r Bill
